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blunt

blunt

100 3.8
Speaking in a direct, plain way that can sound rude
  • adjective
  • /blʌnt/
translation icon : directo
  • Some of them, to be blunt, think wealth is bad, especially for poor people.
  • blunt language
  • blunt statement
  • in blunt terms

They were very blunt, very clear, very kind.

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Examples

  • Betty finally broke the silence, in a voice so blunt that there was no mistaking her feeling.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Sorry to be blunt team, but yeah, what we're doing is super dangerous.

  • And I think that allowed me to say pretty blunt things about the ways in which we fail.

  • I think about it because I do know that I tend to be very blunt and direct with my communication.

  • Well, I'm gonna be blunt here.

  • Robert Wright presented this in a very blunt way, but I think his quote is quite moving.

  • Sorry, I didn't mean to be so blunt about it.

  • I've got to be very blunt about this.

  • So it was interesting that the psychologist said to be as blunt and forthright as you could.

  • He appreciated her honesty, even if it was a bit blunt at times.

Synonyms

direct
vsblunt
302 3.5

Honest and clear in speech or action

matches that plain honesty but is sometimes ruder
harsh
vsblunt
289 2.8

Unkind and too strict in what someone says or does to others

is similarly direct but usually less severe in tone
frank
vsblunt
104 3.4

Open and honest when giving opinions or feelings

is similarly direct but may lack tact and politeness
plain
vsblunt
89 2.0

Said in a simple, direct way without hiding the truth

is similar but more likely to sound rude
candid
vsblunt
83 4.6

Open and honest, telling the truth even when it is hard

is likewise direct but often harsher and rude
short
vsblunt
79 5.6

Abrupt and rude in speech or behavior

is direct but less about impatience and brevity
outspoken
vsblunt
78 4.2

To speak freely and directly about opinions or feelings

is similar but often lacks tact and can offend
straightforward
vsblunt
51 3.6

Someone who is honest and direct, not hiding anything

can match honesty but tends to be ruder sometimes
brutal
vsblunt
50 4.1

Very direct and harsh in a way that can hurt people

is similar but usually less severely harsh
sharp
vsblunt
46 4.2

Harsh critical words or actions that hurt others

is direct but less attacking in its tone
forthright
vsblunt
32 5.5

Being direct and honest when talking or acting

may show the same plainness but be more rude
point-blank
vsblunt
19 5.6

Direct and blunt without trying to hide the truth

sometimes shows the same plainness but is ruder
snippy
vsblunt
18 6.7

Being short and rude in the way someone speaks

focuses on honest plainness while this shows sharp curt irritation
abrasive
vsblunt
18 6.5

Showing little concern for other people's feelings

is plain and direct but not always as uncaring
terse
vsblunt
12 7.0

Using few words and sounding unfriendly or abrupt

is more about plainness than brief unfriendliness
in-your-face
vsblunt
  • Informal
8 8.4

Very bold and rude in a way that forces people to notice

is plain speech but this is more aggressively confrontational
brusque
vsblunt
7 7.7

Rude and very short when speaking or acting

is similar but less about brevity and more plainness
plainspoken
vsblunt
3 4.3

Speaking simply and honestly without hiding meaning

is more likely to be rude or lack politeness
crude
vsblunt
3 3.9

Plain and direct without gentle words

is straightforward but not necessarily coarse or vulgar
curt
vsblunt
2 7.2

Using very few words in a way that seems rude

is direct too but not always so short or abrupt
straight-shooting
vsblunt
  • Informal
1 6.3

Someone who speaks clearly and honestly without hiding things

can be equally plain but often harsher in tone
tart
vsblunt
  • Slang
1 6.7

A sharp, biting remark that hurts or criticizes

is more plainly honest rather than knowingly biting
straight-from-the-shoulder
vsblunt
  • Informal
7.7

Direct and honest in speech that does not hide what you think

can be equally plain but often harsher in tone
free-spoken
vsblunt
  • Archaic
7.1

Speaking in a direct and open way without hiding opinions

shares freedom of speech but tends to be more rude
sharp-worded
vsblunt
7.1

Saying harsh words to criticize someone or something

is direct but usually less intended to wound others
rough-spoken
vsblunt
7.5

A person who speaks in a rude, harsh way

is direct but can be less coarse or uncultured
to gruff
vsblunt
6.4

To speak in a rough, low voice that sounds unfriendly

is about frankness rather than only a rough voice
sharpish
vsblunt
  • UK
7.4

A little rude and short in the way someone speaks

is more plainly honest while this is only slightly severe

Antonyms

329 1.0

Showing good manners and respect to other people

114 4.4

Treating people carefully to avoid hurting their feelings

11 4.0

Being careful and polite when speaking to avoid hurting people

Compounds

blunt trauma
  • Specialized
6 5.3

Injury caused by a hard hit that does not make a cut, often in car crashes

A rough, not precise way to solve a problem that often causes harm

Saying the truth in a direct way that may hurt people

blunt file
  • Specialized
7.1

A metal tool with two flat sides used to smooth or shape hard materials

blunt-leaf heath
  • Australian
9.9

A small upright shrub from Australia and Tasmania with fragrant white flowers

How Direct

tactless
5 4.9
brusque
7 7.7
blunt
100 3.8
direct
302 3.5
frank
104 3.4
candid
83 4.6

Surface Forms

blunt positive

Etymology

Blunt: The adjective blunt for speech grew from the idea of being 'not sharp' — a blunt remark does not cut carefully but hits directly, which is why it sounds plain or sometimes rude.